Archive for October, 2024

Hypocrites In Church

Posted: October 12, 2024 in Uncategorized
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Now, I bet from the title many of you have different thoughts about what this particular post will be about.

Let’s get back to the beginning, my Mom & Dad raised me up in church; I mean we never missed a Sunday morning at least as far as I can remember. My Dad ended up out of my life for a long time and Mom continued to be a strong influence in my life and keep me active in church as well as many other activities including Bible studies and things at home and with friends and even my Boy Scout Troop. Needless to say, I was active and, in the Bible, even though I don’t know that I always understood everything as well as maybe I should’ve.

My Dad finally came back into my life when I was nearly 40… He was coming to stay with me for a week to catch up and visit. At this point in my life, I was extremely active in my church as I had been a part of a church plant in Austin and always participated as much as absolutely possible. It was something so important to me and even at that time, didn’t realize how integral to my life it was going to become… At that time, I felt I was so very involved… a few years later, I realize that I truly wasn’t as involved as I could have been or as I should have been… We’ll get into that in another post…

I told my Dad that we would be attending church on Sunday morning and asked him if that was okay. He responded as any good supportive Dad would, I suppose, “I am happy to go with you, but not sure I have anything fancy to wear.”

I told him he didn’t have to dress any particular way; it didn’t really matter…Just come as you are! So, he went to church with us and saw a different kind of church… I was raised in Southern Baptist, and this was different… We sang, danced, and really worshipped the Lord!! It was something he didn’t really realize what experience he was really in for.
Later, as we sat on the back porch, I asked him, “so, Dad, why do you no longer go to church because I remember going to church every Sunday morning?”
He simply responded to me, “In my life I’ve seen a lot and there are just too many hypocrites in church.”

This is an interesting perspective which got me thinking. He still believes in God but doesn’t want to go to church as there are far too many hypocrites there. The truth is that he wasn’t wrong. I started thinking about the idea of a gym and how a lot of the time, you envision a gym filled with buff, ripped, really fit individuals and occasionally see an extremely out of shape, overweight person in the gym and people say, “wow, that’s brave,” that he or she would be in the gym in that shape… How else do you get into shape and get fit if not in the gym?? Seriously people… How does it work? Are we expected to get into shape in private behind a closed door and only go out into public once we look great … I mean, this is the equivalent of what we expect from Christians… “Get ‘right’ with Jesus and stop messing up and then and only then may you enter the house of God.

Now the truth of the matter is that recently I heard an excellent sermon in which Pastor referenced the “names” Christians are called stating that “hypocrites” is actually the most often true. He expressed the reason behind this was that Christians often won’t admit they are not “okay.” Many of us are not okay at one point or another yet far too often won’t admit it. I found his perspective interesting also as it ties into thoughts I’ve had for many years and worked in my own way to articulate… I’ve been called out as “being hard on Christians” but I think the problem tends to be in that so many Christians take opportunities to find fault in others rather than seeing their own faults and flaws.

An interesting side note… two great psychologists world renowned for their innovation and intelligence exchanged letters back and forth over a span of about 8 years. these two men exchanged what began as respectful and friendly professional discussion on how they could better their care at their and offer the best possible help for their patients would only to serve as their biggest conflict. The one man began explaining to the other how they needed to take time to really analyze their own deep-rooted issues and through self-awareness they’d be able to see their patience through different light. the second man expressed how they needed to have no issues in order to be the best possible doctors and scientists. The first followed up by stating how no one is absent issues; it’s only a matter of whether or not you are aware of them. As I mentioned, this became their greatest conflict, and their friendship fizzled out and they were not able to overcome this disagreement. The first man was Dr. Sigmund Freud while the second was Dr. Carl Jung and they founded the International Psychoanalytical Organization Foundation right in the midst of their letters and shortly after, they parted ways due to this disagreement.

I find this interesting as it speaks to a secular perspective while I’m focusing on my faith… both are the same though because we are all human beings.

We all deal with issues, and we all go through times of refusing to be honest with even ourselves…sometimes mostly ourselves. It is only through honesty and self-awareness that we can truly grow and become better. This is important to understand if you really want growth…as a person and through your spiritual walk.

Back to where we started, the things is that yes, there are hypocrites in church. There are sinners in church. I’m glad they are in church and pray that God speaks to them and reaches them. Church is definitely the place for them to be so they can surround themselves with others who will help them learn and grow and get more connected with God.

Now, if you are spiritually “out of shape” the church is a perfect place to start. But that is also another key aspect of this… It is the place to start… It is not the end. Your journey is far from over. You’ve got to continue to seek God and chase after more. The more you seek a relationship with Jesus, the easier it will become to live the life He has designed for you.

Hypocrites in church…??… Of course, hopefully it si the first step on a long journey. Let’s go!!!

Perspective From a Homeschool Dad

Posted: October 9, 2024 in Uncategorized
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Okay, so let’s get real about things.

I was determined to never homeschool my kiddos; it just wasn’t for me. I in no way wanted the fate of the education and intelligence in my hands. I just didn’t know that I would be able to give them all the attention and balance all the many subjects and things and truly do right by them. I wanted a trained professional to be there to lead and guide them in their education, and leave the life lessons and things like that to Dad… I got that!

Now, I have met many different homeschool families, and everyone has their reasons and perspectives. That’s kind of why I feel the need to share. I know everyone does it for different reasons, and everyone finds themselves in situations they could’ve never imagined themselves in. Meanwhile there are others who want their lives in a different place and not sure how to get there or if they are equipped for it… let’s get into it…

As I mentioned, this was not the life I initially had planned for myself or my family. I “knew” I would not be homeschooling…it wasn’t for me. Here I am a homeschool Dad.

It was not the government, the world, fear, control, or any of the typical reasons people assume I’m doing this… It’s so weird how quickly people make their assumptions about why I am here and why I am doing these things. I have had family members and friends who I would think know me pretty well that make statements to me, “Oh, if things were different in my situation, I’d be right there with you, Corey. I get it. I want to homeschool my kid because of all the crazies out there.” Others will commend me for “doing the right thing” as if I need their pat on the back and as if we see things the same when we do not. They say, “Corey, you and Kimberly are doing the right things to protect your child from the school system.”
Let’s clear that up… That is not what I am doing and those of you who are unable to have your children at home with you or choose to have your children in a school system somewhere need to be doing your job to protect your children anyways.
Our boys were in an awesome charter school STEM Academy back in Austin, TX, and we loved it. I made sure I was involved as much as absolutely possible. I was active in the PTA and kept regular communication with the teachers and the rest of the faculty. Everyone from the principal to the teachers, to the coach to the librarian to the cafeteria workers to the janitors… they all knew me by name. It only took an hour or two a week to be that involved. Seriously, get involved at your kids’ school so you know what is going on there and you have advocates for your children and help to keep them safe and protected.

Also, be involved in the PTA and get involved with the other parents and the school board. Every school board has designated seats for parents/PTA members. It is your children’s school; you have a voice although so many would have you believe otherwise. You have a voice. I knew what my children were being taught and so can you. If you are unable to have the time or availability to get involved enough to sit in one of those chairs on the school board, be sure you are good friends with other parents and you know their stances on things, and they know yours. We always took turns sitting in that seat as it wasn’t necessary that it be the same person…just two seats just for parents.

So to wrap that up, I had no fears or concerns of my boys being in a school… I knew better than to be fearful.

Now, Kimberly took a job as a travel nurse and we thought that it would be a job that lasted a few months and we’d be back in Austin closing on our house and back at our old school. That did not happen… as it approached the new school year and as I was texted to set up our “meet the teacher night” we realized we weren’t going home yet. We decided to contact their school letting them know and moved forward with homeschooling our boys. Again, we believed this to be temporary…just a moment in our lives based on circumstance…we’re on the road going from town to town, a new contract for Kimberly every few months. We needed school to come with us.

After now being in it deep on year three, I know this is the life for my family. I am not able to rationalize sending my boys away from me for hours every day. They are my boys and meant to be here with me and Mommy. I work from home and Kimberly is working hard as a nurse but we are presently working towards getting her to transition to working from home with me as well… We desire our family to be together. This is the drive behind us homeschooling.
We went to an uncredible homeschool convention that gave us a lot of insight and resources to help us along the way. Meeting so many other parents and educators who were doing it helped give me perspective and help me realize this is the life for us… I am capable of doing this!!

It is not always easy but it is the life for the Bayless Family.

I say all of this to give perspective to those out there thinking they aren’t ready or able to do it…You are and you can!

If you love your children and desire them home with you, there are resources to help you along the way. Please let me help if I can.
If anyone has resources or thoughts or tips, please share them in the comments so we can all help one another… Be sure you are subscribed to my blog as I will continue to post thoughts and insight to my experiences here as well.

If you want to do it, you got this! Let’s go!

In the Thick of It

Posted: October 8, 2024 in Uncategorized
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We’ve been having this discussion for some time now… Amidst all the chaos from the pandemic, the election of 2020, the inflation, the housing market… It was really cool watching it play out while strange seeing the masses respond to it.

I continued to reassure people we were on the brink of an economic rebirth back in 2020 & 2021… So many were unable to see it, and sadly many mostly only interested in clickbait nonsense and attention, continued to capitalize on this with scare tactics. Our economy isn’t crumbling… It isn’t crippled either… It is growing and thriving. That rebirth I continued to speak of, we’re in it…been in it for the last two years and it’s only getting better. Don’t miss your chance. It won’t last forever.

You’ve really got to be open to see and understand. Millionaires are born from recessions and our economic system thrives on opportunists and is set up in such a way with the masses able to facilitate so many new businesses and many fresh people in the industry we refer to as “new money.”

The only question is are you willing and ready to learn or are you going to continue to sit back and allow “them” to convince you that you’re a victim and there is no way out?

What idea have you been sitting on? What skill do you have that is sitting idle not making you money?

Not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur, but everyone is capable of taking control of their life and building towards their future…and it hasn’t been this easy in decades… Don’t be one of the ones who missed out.

Social media is an incredible tool to utilize growing and developing your idea. Reach out to your friends and family as they will be your greatest support.
It is key to be firm in your vision but flexible in the details.

Lets share some ideas and thoughts below in the comments and we can help one another grow and develop.

Let’s Go!!

New Beginnings…

Posted: October 6, 2024 in Uncategorized
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It’s been just over two years since I’ve posted here… It’s crazy as I had been so dedicated to posting and so ambitious and truly love writing so much. I find it extremely therapeutic to be able to write and get my thoughts out.

This is truly a huge part of who I am and now being reincorporated back into my work as well as my ministry. This is going to be crucial to all that I’m doing and implementing in the future.

Let me catch you up just a little bit…

Two and half years ago, my lovely wife Kimberly took a job as a travel nurse which took us on the road…now the story is a bit more in depth than that…but that’s the jist of it.

While I continued to work remotely with my business partners back home in Texas and worked on growing and developing my business, I dove into some personal writing and grew my social media platforms as incredible ways for me to reach out to many people and share information and spread the Good Word.

As we’ve traveled and experienced many things along the road, there have been many amazing stories which I may share more with you here later…. but what’s most important is the fundamentals of who our lives changed so drastically. We were on the road with Kimberly having nursing contracts that could ultimately end at any given moment with little or even no notice. We were making good money, but it was also rather pricey being on the road with the boys and living in hotels or Airbnbs the entire way. And not even the financial situation but let’s get into the real challenges of it all… We found ourselves within these contracts that could end abruptly and at most, they last for ninety days, we had to make the tough decision to go ahead and homeschool our boys. Now, this was something I was determined to never do… Meanwhile, as I mentioned, I was working remotely with my partners in Texas and some of our work is in investments and trading which we had us emersed into the foreign market as we traded much in currency. This took lots of time and attention at odd hours due to the foreign markets and me being in a different time zone than my partners. All this was going on while trying to learn how to homeschool my boys… We’ll get into that on a later post… Y’all stay tuned in for all that as I got lots of stories to share regarding all of that.

Needless to say, I got my work more than cut out for me.

I’ve got so much happening and my hands are more than full…but that’s how I like things.

Now, I’ll get into more of the traveling and all of that alter as well…as I said, it has been two and a half years of catching up with all of you.

After all of this time, we are most definitely in a new place…with lots of new goals! God has definitely had His hands in our lives and lead us to this point. We can look back on everything and clearly see exactly how He was doing so many things and He was in control the entire time!!

God Is Good!!

So, I’ve got so much more to share with you…where our lives are now, where our lives are going, where all we have been, where our business is and where it is going, and where our ministry is and where we see ourselves in our walk with God.

When it comes down to it… What is most important is how things benefit my Kingdom…and how I can use my Kingdom to benefit The Kingdom and give ALL the glory to God!